EU concerned about deterioration of situation in Donbas

The official representative of the European External Action Service (EEAS) has expressed concern about the recent deterioration of the situation in Donbas, eastern Ukraine.

"The humanitarian and security situations have deteriorated abruptly in eastern Ukraine, where we have seen the highest number of ceasefire violations since February 2017," the spokesperson said in a statement.

The spokesperson insists that the ceasefire needs to be respected, military forces must disengage and withdraw heavy weapons to verifiable storage areas.

"We expect Russia in particular to make full and immediate use of its influence on the separatists in this regard,. " the statement said.

According to the spokesperson, Russia's withdrawal of its contingent from the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) also has serious negative implications for the maintenance of a ceasefire and on the stabilisation of the line of contact.

The European Union says it continues to support the ongoing diplomatic efforts towards full implementation of the Minsk agreements as the basis for a sustainable political solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine that respects Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.